32 H&R Velocities

[ejcrist]

I've been doing some load development for a Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R Mag with a 6.5" barrel. I'm loading for hunting jack rabbits and my goal was to push the 32-098-SWC cast from straight wheel weights between 1,000 fps to about 1,200 fps. I started low and worked up for all powders but H110. The Sierra manual (#13) I have lists H110 loads for a 100 grain jacketed boolit between 9.5 and 10.5 grains. I started at 10 grains and worked up from there. The velocities I was getting were far higher than any of the other powders and also what the manual listed for the jacketed boolit. I expected velocities would be higher than jacketed but not as high as they were. The 10.0 grain charge averaged 1,280 fps and by the time I got to 10.5 grains it averaged 1,340. I only got a couple of sticky extractions at the 10.5 grain load so I backed down to 10.3 and settled there. The load is the most accurate of all the powders/charges I tested for the velocity range I'm interested in so I'm going to stick with it. It's a screamer though. Has anyone else reached velocities in excess of 1,300 fps with H110 in a similar revolver chambered in 32 H&R? If so, do you think the pressures exceed the SAAMI max much? I don't think it'll do any harm if so since I haven't seen any excess pressure signs at this velocity/charge but I'm interested to know what others have experienced.

Thanks, Gene

[leftiye]

In that gun exceeding SAAMI max pressures is a non issue. The .32 H&R is factory loaded to .38 special pressures (about 22,000 psi.). Your procedure Should be fine.

[9.3X62AL]

I have played with the 32 Magnum and both WW-296 and H-110, at and a little above the weight range you have given, using both the RCBS 32-98-SWC and Lyman #313631. Like you, I obtained fine accuracy and a bit higher velocity than I expected; I was into the 1400 FPS range once 100% loading density was reached. Small pistol standard primers did well, with nicely small SDs and ESs on the velocity readings. SP Magnum primers--worked up separately--gave significantly larger variances.

The most comprehensive listing of load data for the 32 Magnum and cast bullets I found in the "RCBS Cast Bullet Manual, No. 1" (1986). My copies are still boxed in the garage, but I do recall a wide array of powder selections from that source. My own research has shown that AA-9, WC-820, and Alliant 2400 have given my the highest velocities with attendant accuracy in this caliber. My current platform in this caliber (S&W Model 16-4 x 6") far prefers 95-105 grain castings to the 115-125 grainers; the 32-20s tend toward the 115-125 grainers generally.

[Outpost75]

While your Ruger will handle heavy loads which exceed standard pressure, the best use of the .32 H&R Magnum is as a small game gun to shoot meat for the pot, and it is unnecessary to exceed the ballistics of the .32-20 Winchester blackpowder load, which in a 6" revolver will be subsonic with a 115-120 grain bullet such as the Ideal #3118 or Saeco #322.

Heavier loads can of course be used for varmint shooting and to flatten trajectory to make hits at longer ranges easier. The Ruger is superior for such use, but as a MEAT GUN, you will be best served by a soft, solid lead, flatnosed bullet from 100-120 grains, propelled by modest charges of economical, fast-burning powders, such as 3 grains of Bullseye powder, my favorite load, which gives about 1000 fps in a 6-inch barrel, penetrates deeply, kills cleanly AND you can eat right up to the bullet hole! An efficient handgun load does not need to make your hand sting and your ears ring. As I get older I like to keep what hearing I have left and find that modest guns and loads are most enjoyable.

If seeking a mold Accurate's 31-114D is the one which I prefer.

124585

[9.3X62AL]

No argument with Outpost 75's text. 90% of my Magnum revolver reloading gets done at "sub-sonic" velocities with "standard-weight" SWC castings. The high-velocity loads I spoke of are eardrum drills very much like the 30 Carbine Ruger Blackhawk; these require both plugs and muffs for your ears while shooting. Marketing types have tried mightily to sell both the 32 H&R Magnum and now the 327 Federal as self-defense chamberings--the true value of both calibers is as a small game and varmint caliber that does far better work than the 22 LR but can be reloaded very inexpensively. Neither gunmakers nor ammomakers are about to tout any caliber's positive traits as a reloadable cartridge, though--feral refillers like us are persona non grata to that lot.

[shooting on a shoestring]

I'm blessed to have a 6.5" Single Six. I'll admit to having cracked 1400 fps using WC820 and NOE 314008. I don't have a use for that load other than exhilaration, so I rarely go back there. I find 1000 to 1200 fps to be much more entertaining.

Only bad thing about that Single Six is it doesn't leave enough room for me to get excited about a Single Seven in 327.

[ejcrist]

Thanks for the info Gents. I never set out to get anything much over 1,200 fps since I want to use the revolver mostly for jack rabbit hunting (edible antelope jacks - AZ's original fast food, not the mangy black-tail type), so I wasn't thrilled when those boolits came screaming out of the muzzle. I couldn't ignore the accuracy though, and since most jack shots start at around 50 yards I'm not too upset considering the boolit will shed a lot of that by the time it finds it's mark, which in most cases is about 100 yards behind or 10 yards in front of the rabbit. With my luck though I'll hit 'em all in the hind quarters on the next trip.

[9.3X62AL]

I only have the mangy blacktailed variety of jackrabbit available here in the Worker's Paradise, and once hit they feed coyotes and buzzards AFAIC. That said, the 32 Magnum has been a first-rate whacker of jacks for me. They number in the hundreds by the 32 Magnum, and have been its principal quarry since it arrived in 1989. The RCBS SWCs at 900-1000 FPS don't create inordinate damage, but anchor the critters MUCH better than 22 LR from long or short barrels. The 32 Magnum is a natural-born jack harvester.

[Bullshop Junior]

I never have been able to work up very hot loads for my single six, because the base pin kept jumping out.

That being said, one of the most accurate loads I ever tried from that gun was a case full of h110 under a 120 gn HP bullet. I never killed anything with it though, because I quit playing with it after my trouble with the base pin.

[ejcrist]

I never have been able to work up very hot loads for my single six, because the base pin kept jumping out.

That being said, one of the most accurate loads I ever tried from that gun was a case full of h110 under a 120 gn HP bullet. I never killed anything with it though, because I quit playing with it after my trouble with the base pin.

Just curious but did you try replacing the base pin with one of the Belt Mountain locking pins? I put 'em in all but one brand new Ruger and they're really nice for the money. You'll end up with tighter lock-up and they'll stay put even with heavy loads.

[ejcrist]

I only have the mangy blacktailed variety of jackrabbit available here in the Worker's Paradise, and once hit they feed coyotes and buzzards AFAIC. That said, the 32 Magnum has been a first-rate whacker of jacks for me. They number in the hundreds by the 32 Magnum, and have been its principal quarry since it arrived in 1989. The RCBS SWCs at 900-1000 FPS don't create inordinate damage, but anchor the critters MUCH better than 22 LR from long or short barrels. The 32 Magnum is a natural-born jack harvester.

Amen Brother! Jacks can be surprisingly tough. I've been hunting them with a Single Six 22 mag which works well but sometimes they'll go a ways even when hit right in the boiler plate. A head shot of course will anchor them on the spot but it's a small target out past 50 yards or so. Most shots I've taken are beyond 50 so I have to agree that the 32 H&R is the better cartridge for Jack hunting.

[Thumbcocker]

Does anyone go after coyotes withe .32 magnum and the RCBS 98 grn. Swc?

[9.3X62AL]

I've not had the chance to test-drive my loads in 32 Magnum on coyotes, though not from lack of trying. Most of my song dogs have fallen to rifles, because handguns are secondary tools when I'm coyote hunting. The high velocity 32-20 and 25-20 in lever rifles are SPLENDID coyote rounds, and I have scored hits with both castings and j-words in both calibers to 150 yards. Based on jackrabbit results, the RCBS SWC at 900-1000 FPS would suffice on coyotes to 75 yards, and the 1200-1300 FPS loads would stretch things to 100 yards, perhaps a taste more.

[Bullshop Junior]

Just curious but did you try replacing the base pin with one of the Belt Mountain locking pins? I put 'em in all but one brand new Ruger and they're really nice for the money. You'll end up with tighter lock-up and they'll stay put even with heavy loads.
No, I never did. I figured it was fine just shooting mellow loads out of it.

[Bullshop Junior]

Does anyone go after coyotes withe .32 magnum and the RCBS 98 grn. Swc?
Not with that bullet, but I did pop a coyote with my single six a few weeks ago at about 30 yards. He ran about 20 yards and piled up. Buller did not exit, but it was only a 85gn bullet over a light dose of reddot.

[leftiye]

Another illustration of loads/ctgs that aren't supposed to be sufficient being deadly. Somebody else here killed a deer with a popgun load in a 32-20.

[bobthenailer]

Has anyone tried LilGun in the 32 ? may be able to get higher velocties with safe pressures as with my experince with the 22 hornet and 357 mag.

[9.3X62AL]

Bob, that is an intriguing question. About the time I got comfortable with and curious about Lil Gun in my rollers and 22 Hornet, the stuff became unobtainium along with much other componentry. I'm not one to rush out and be the first on the block to test drive new tooling and materials, and in this instance that trait may have worked to my detriment.

I'm pretty satisfied with the idea that the 32 H&R Magnum as birthed by Federal Cartridge and H&R/NEF was anemically under-loaded in deference to the delicate H&R/NEF revolvers in which it was initially housed. In an arm of sufficient strength--the Single-Six SSM series or the S&W K-frames--performance like that of the 327 Federal can be approached. I have run Lyman #313631 to 1400 FPS in my S&W Model 16-4 x 6", and the loads are accurate--the brass and primers don't seem to be strained/stressed, but the report is LOUD AND OBNOXIOUS--just like that of the 30 Carbine Blackhawk. Running the RCBS 32-98-SWC at 900-1100 FPS has become my "go-to" load in this caliber for field use--not quite so blasty, incredibly accurate, and very economical to load. Now--if I can only get a song dog to cooperate with the last phase of the testing process......

[Bullshop Junior]

I really need to get a mold of more appropriate weight for the cartridge. The heavy bullet I use, although it shoots very well, is a bit much for a case that only fits 7 gn of powder

[Larry Gibson]

I have an original run Single Six with 6 1/2" barrel. My most used load is the Hornady 90 gr swaged SWC or the mostly the Lee counterpart; the TL 314-90-SWC. I load either over 3 gr Bullseye for 1005 fps out of the Ruger. That load is very pleasant to shoot and very accurate. It also kills most small game quite well with the exception of jack rabbits and coyotes both of which can be very tenacious. For my magnum level loads I prefer a soft cast SWC HP'd and GC'd. I use the Lyman designed for the .32 H&R; 313631 which is a 105 gr SWC.


I've extensively tested the following loads in my Ruger Single Six All loads except factory in Starline cases with WSP primers);

Federal Lead SWC/1024 fps
Federal 85 gr JHP/1038 fps
Lee TL314-90-SWC/3 gr Bullseye/1005 fps
313631/10.5 gr H110/1275 fps
313631/5.5 gr Unique/1284 fps
313/631/6 gr Unique/1351 fps
311316 (118 gr GC'd 32-20 bullet)/10.5 gr H110/1174 fps

I also have a Contender 10" barrel in 32 H&R that I pressure test with but just haven't gotten around to pressure testing the above loads yet.....too many other irons in the fire but will get around to it one of these days.

Larry Gibson

124744

[hpdrifter]

The base pin popping out is an easy fix. It's just that the "groove" in the pin is not profiled right.

Take the cylinder out and the base pin out. Watch how far the catch pin travels when the base pin is out.

Now put the base pin in and see how far the catch travels. I'll bet it is held short of where it traveled when the pin is out.

Put the pin in a drill(mini lathe8-)) Use a round needle file to open up the groove. Don't make it wider, just round out the groove a bit and retry it.

When the catch travels all the way over like it does when the pin is out, you are done and the base pin will no longer jump out.

[leftiye]

Case volume problems with the heavier 115 gr. boolits can be solved somewhat with something like a NOE 314640 RNFPHPGC. It's the one with three crimp grooves. It is also longer in front of the case, and just fits in my Ruger single six. The 311316 version that I have has a crimp groove, and is longer inside the case than anything else I have. The 311008 can be crimped in the front lube groove. No gas check, and the 640 (has gas check) is still shorter inside the case. You probly would want a gas check as the only reason for seating out might be for higher velocity loads.

[Bullshop Junior]

The bullet I use fills the cylinder right to the end crimped in the crimp groove. It was designed for the 7.62x39

[leftiye]

130 grainer or more? NOE also has a 129 RNGCHP design but it is both longer in front of the case and inside the case (though not bad for a 130). I really like it for 327 loads. As most folks here have thought a 115 too heavy for the H&R mag, and like 100gr boolits better, I am guessing that they have a point and that it is internal volume.

[Bullshop Junior]

The noe 130 hp is the one I use. But it cast a bit lighter from accoww

[Whit Spurzon]

Using Lil'Gun under the RCBS 32-98 SWC gets me right around 1300 fps in both my Single Six and Single Seven. Impressively accurate too without being obnoxiously loud.

For general purpose I like the RCBS 32-98 SWC or the Lyman 311008 over enough Unique (near Oregon Trail's manual max) to get them going 1050 fps. For small game hunting I'm using either bullet near the Hodgdon starting charge for W231 which jogs along a bit shy of 900 fps.

I dearly love my 32 Single Six but I will admit my Single Seven is winning me over as a trail gun. I like having five heavy (less velocity, milder report) 327 rounds ready to go backed up by two light 32 H&R loads five clicks away for Grouse. I've also found that hot 32 Long loads print pretty close to the 327 Load I use most so is easy to sort out a poke full of rounds in my pocket for different purposes, small game/plinking 32 long - Coyote 32 H&R - longer shots 327.

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k542/WhitSpurzon/Ruger/1-009_zps1c44fe13.jpg

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k542/WhitSpurzon/Ruger/1-Yonderosa029_zps96aea78f.jpg

[9.3X62AL]

130 grainer or more? NOE also has a 129 RNGCHP design but it is both longer in front of the case and inside the case (though not bad for a 130). I really like it for 327 loads. As most folks here have thought a 115 too heavy for the H&R mag, and like 100gr boolits better, I am guessing that they have a point and that it is internal volume.

I've been messing with the 32 Magnum for almost 30 years, and although it is a small sample size (2 revolvers) the caliber has shot slightly better for me with 85-100 grain bullets than it has with the heavier slugs. My biases favor "heavier for caliber" bullets in most chamberings, but a whole lot of shooting has borne out for me that in 32 Magnum the lighter half of the bullet spectrum has done more accurate work. I hadn't given much thought to the "why", but your point about internal volume makes as much sense as any other possible cause.

[lbaize3]

I have been shooting a NOE 115gr. PB boolit, pushed by 3.5gr. of Red Dot. Have not had a chance of giving the load a real test..... just been plinking with it in my Buckeye and Single Seven. Sure shoots well!

[BAGTIC]

I load the SAECO #325 in my 6 inch 32 H&R. It weighs 104 grains from WW. It chronographs 1200 fps. I don't use any powder slower than Blue Dot. Good loads are possible with Unique. Something like H110/296 is much too slow for these light bullets. Much sound and fury signifying nothing. By the time these bullets reach 100 yards neither you or the jackrabbit will notice the difference.

[leftiye]

I think you're right about powder burning rate. How does blue Dot work for you (anybody's response welcome)?

[Bullshop Junior]

I used some blue dot in mine, but normally use reddot because I have a lot of it.

[SteveS]

I've used 2400 with very good accuracy. If I could get more 2400 I'd definitely use it.

But, like Bullshop Junior, I have a good supply of Red Dot and get just as good accuracy.

[Mohillbilly]

I used to use blue dot in .30 carbine with the little Lee semi wad cutter sized to .310 worked well in my auto mag III and the Blackhawk . I had to back off a .5 gr for the Rock o la for the possible fear of hurting the old gal .

[9.3X62AL]

I have yet to try Blue Dot in the 32 Magnum; it is one of few pistol fuels I haven't tried, though. Small lots of H-110 and WW-296 loaded ammo did not get to the velocities that AA-9/WC-820 or 2400 achieved. 110 and 296 ARE NOT getting compressed where I live, but did get tried to 100% density.......just can't get enough into the case. This might be where the 327 Federal makes a difference with its case length and powder capacity. Herco can meet and exceed AA-9/WC-820 speeds, so Blue Dot might be a good idea. Once I got the #313631 to 1425 FPS with Herco and obtained accuracy, the loads' report discouraged going any further with velocity games. Once past 1200 FPS, the 32 Mag gets almost as blasty as the 30 Carbine Blackhawk. The whole enchilada is a lot more pleasant to hunt with running the RCBS 32-98-SWC at 1100 FPS, and downright tractable at 950 FPS.

[scrappletaco]

A local shop will be getting a .327 fed mag. They will be Ruger single sevens. I've been waiting for a long time for a .32 caliber so this information is gold. Where would a good place to look for heavy weight boolits since I cannot cast yet due to location

[leftiye]

Al thanks for the HV info. I will be doing the hot load thing for sure, though not only going hot. To paraphrase something I heard ("if I want a bigger gun, I'll go to a bigger gun") - if I want a lesser gun I'll go to a lesser gun. But there are reasons in this and the 32-20 (as well as others) for not going all out (blast in 32s is painful, meat damage on small game beyond about 1600 fps, etc). And I will also be loading some plinking rounds. But I generally won't waste the time and resources to reload anything but the best load I can imagine.

[9.3X62AL]

Leftiye, something that occurred to me shooting the 32-20 in rifles caused me to rein in the velocity games, and your comments about damage to small game species reminded me of same.

The 32-20 loaded to 1882-level blackpowder levels--115 grain bullets at 1100-1200 FPS--does very good work on small game for the pot and on varmints of the same size. It drops them with authority, but doesn't shred them into carnage fodder. From what I've seen at higher speeds, the 32-20 hitting at much over 1400 FPS really starts shredding the critters something awful, even with #311316 in 92/6/2. I have run these at 1800 FPS/muzzle for jacks, and out to 150 yards the critters still get pretty torn up. Having that in mind, it occurred to me that high velocity loadings of 32 caliber in either rifle or revolver had limited usefulness.......varmints only, both 2- and 4-legged.

[leftiye]

Actually in my single six, I'm looking at 1200 fps as a target with 115 gr boolits. Shouldn't be too fast for usefulness. With a solid, it will be possible to survive a social engagement, and kick donkey on everything else. 3118s might be quite a bit slower.

[Mk42gunner]

I have a 6½" Ruger SSM that shot the group buy 314120 RNFP very well in front of enough LIL'GUN for 1220 fps. My memory says six rounds in <1¼" at 25 yards from a very solid rest; but we all know what remembered groups are like. The problem was that it needed somewhere around 0.10-0.125" more front sight. It did not like the 95 gr Lyman 313445 in front of W231 at all.

Then too, I got to wondering just how much pressure that load developed, and decided if I wanted that sort of performance I was better off using an already owned .357 instead of possibly straining the little SSM.

That was a few years ago, since then the eyes have decided the back/ hips / and knees have the right idea and are slowing down. If I ever get the right combination figured out for glasses, I have a bunch of 100 grain SWC's cast and waiting.

Robert

[jrayborn]

I like the Lee TL314-90 boolit but am hampered by the two cavity mold. Sure wish Lee would make a six cavity. One can always hope!

[prsman23]

I like the Lee TL314-90 boolit but am hampered by the two cavity mold. Sure wish Lee would make a six cavity. One can always hope!

I am in the same boat. So I use two two cavity molds at a time. Takes a little bit to get the rhythm going. But once you do it goes pretty quickly.

[BAGTIC]

The year the 32 Magnum was introduced (?) I bought an H&R 6" because it was the only gun available. When the Ruger Single-Six was introduced in 32 Magnum I bought one of those. Discovered that single action revolvers were just not my thing and sold the Ruger but kept the H&R. I load the SAECO 98 gr. SWC, which weighs 104 grain when cast from HTWW, to 1200 fps (chronographed).

I was a native born member of the People's Republic but then in 1995 I managed to escape and take refuge in the USA.

The 32 Magnum killed lots of those black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, and several dozen skunks. I use the SAECO 98 gr. SWC (104 gr. in HTWW) .Never had any of them walk away after a good hit. I doubt that they expanded at all but then I never found a bullet. At close range (25 yards) it would penetrate an engine block from the side but stop inside the cylinder. Never tried it from any other range. These loads worked in my Ruger Single-Six and my original 6" H&R. Powders like Unique, Herco, with charges in the 4.5-5 grain range are more appropriate than slow burners like H110.